In Looper (2012), we see a number of "old" (for 2044) cars driving around. Many (maybe all?) have some sort of tubing running into the fuel tank. Do we have any idea what these are? I can only assume they're some sort of alternate fuel retro-fit, that engineers in 2044 are too stupid to put inside the vehicle...

4 Answers
4

It is supposed to be compressed air, like in a compressor.
The first cars using compressed air are here already, shown in the last car shows in Europe.
The cars run on air, which is sucked up in front of the car, then compressed, which gives the energy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_air_car

I don't think this is a feasible explanation. Do you have a source that this is what the movie producers intended? A gas tank would make for a horrible compressed air tank--it's not the right shape, and not made of the proper material. You couldn't hold enough PSI to drive anything other than a small pinwheel.
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FlimzyApr 25 '13 at 6:09

By the looks of it, I presume some kind of hydrogen-burning technology was implied? Because of the way blue flames were shown? As is, electric was ruled out - we could clearly see the flaming exhaust. The only alternative to be carried (if implied from our times) is the fuel-cell technology...

Those are probably some kind of modified gasifiers which intake the exhaust fumes and convert them into consumable gas that would in turn run the engine. Gasification, was primarily done by burning fossil fuel like coal or wood. However, in my opinion the movie protrays some kind of an advanced gasifier that helps in fuel preservation, fuel re-cycling in a car and in turn run the engine with the outcome, more like a "Loop" (more appropriate if considered with the theme of the movie).

I say you are correct. If you consider they had old cars in there like 2000 Ford F150 and a Miata, then yeah the must be retro fit with some type of alternative fuel mechanism.
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DustinDavisApr 1 '13 at 16:30